Veit Helmer’s gay romance film “Gondola” has been making waves in the international film market after securing multiple sales through Italy’s Coccinelle Film. The film, which had its world premiere at the Tokyo International Film Festival, is a dialogue-free love story set in the remote mountains of Georgia.
The story revolves around two female cable car attendants who find love as they encounter each other while navigating the mountains. The film has been sold to various countries, including France, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Spain, and South Korea.
Director Veit Helmer is renowned for his fable-like films with minimal dialogue and has made a name for himself on the international festival circuit. “Gondola” will have a domestic theatrical release in Germany in March, following its market premiere at the European Film Market.
The film stars Nini Soselia, Niara Chichinadze, Mathilde Irrmann, and Zviad Papuashvili, and features cinematography by Goga Devdariani and a score by Icelandic singer-songwriter Sóley and British musician Malcom Arison. It is a co-production between Germany and Georgia, supported by Eurimages and various German public broadcasters.
Coccinelle Film has also closed deals on other LGBTQ-themed films, including “All the Colours of the World Are Between Black and White” and TV mini-series “The Queer.” Their upcoming slate at EFM includes the Israeli coming-of-age drama “A Room of His Own.”
These recent sales mark an increasing interest in LGBTQ-themed content, highlighting the importance of diverse storytelling in the global film market. With “Gondola” leading the way, it’s clear that audiences are eager for more inclusive and heartfelt storytelling in cinema.
